The leu opened at 4.3925/4.3975 per euro, from 4.3970/4.3980 per euro at Wednesday close. After the first hour, the local currency traded at 4.3950/4.3965 to the euro.
Dealers said the hard currency corporate demand continues to put pressure upon the leu.
Bonds of RON2.6 billion reached maturity Wednesday, which are added to the RON2.5 billion notes that matured last Tuesday. Also, dealers said market liquidity is supplemented by the payments made by the Finance Ministry.
The central bank Wednesday set the leu’s reference rate at 4.3837 per euro, about 0.2% weaker on the day.
In the money market Thursday morning, overnight rates were at 1.1%-1.6% a year, down from 2.75%-3.25% a year in the previous session.